UK Riots Escalate: Police Attacked in Belfast, Others, 400 Arrested

Police in Belfast, Darlington, and Plymouth came under attack on Monday night as the wave of violent unrest and disturbance that has been sweeping over parts of the United Kingdom continued. In Plymouth, the fighting resulted in six arrests, and several cops were slightly hurt.

Stones and petrol bombs were thrown at riot police in South Belfast over the weekend in an area near a store that was set on fire. The disturbance was earlier caused by a vigil for the victims of a large-scale stabbing that happened in Southport last week.

Since the riots started, about 400 people have been taken into custody.

Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire, has been charged with three counts of murder, ten attempted murders, and possession of a curved kitchen knife. Police believe the riots and unrest in towns and cities across the UK were fuelled by false rumors that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the riots as “far-right thuggery,” and on Monday, he vowed to “ramp up” the law to deal with the violence.

Devon and Cornwall Police said specialist officers had been deployed on Monday to deal with a far-right demonstration and a counter-protest. Later in the evening, scenes in the city turned violent as a police van was damaged and several officers were injured.

In Birmingham, disturbances occurred after hundreds of people gathered in the Bordesley Green area of the city following false reports that a far-right march had been planned there.

Palestinian flags were waved, and anti-English Defence League chants were heard. A group of youths later broke away from the gathering and attacked several vehicles and a pub.

West Midlands Police released a statement late on Monday which said officers were investigating reports of an assault and damage to a pub.

Since the rioting began on Tuesday, 378 arrests have been made nationally. Police said they are working “around the clock” to identify and arrest more people.

Those charged with riots in parts of England appeared in various magistrate courts on Monday.

Given the tense situation, Nigerian authorities have issued advisory to Nigerian travelers and residents in the UK at this time.

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